South Africa to tour Pakistan for first time in 14 years

RIZWAN ALI
Updated ·2 min read

ISLAMABAD (AP) — South Africa will tour Pakistan for the first time in 14 years when it plays two ICC World Test Championship matches and a Twenty20 series there starting next month.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said on Wednesday the first test will be played in Karachi from Jan. 26-30 with the second in Rawalpindi from Feb. 4-8. The three-match T20 series will follow in Lahore on Feb. 11, 13 and 14.

South Africa last toured Pakistan in 2007, winning the two-test series 1-0.

Pakistan did host South Africa in 2010 and 2013 in the United Arab Emirates as foreign countries had security reservations over visiting the Asian nation.

“The home series against South Africa will complete the process for full resumption and restoration of international cricket in Pakistan, which started in 2015,” PCB director of international cricket Zakir Khan said in a statement.

Several South African cricketers have toured Pakistan over the last three years. Captain Faf du Plessis led a World XI team there in 2017 and returned the following year to play in the Pakistan Super League playoff.

The PCB has lined up several foreign visitors in 2021 including New Zealand, England and West Indies.

“If these high-profile and exciting series are topped up with the Asia Cup 2021 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, Pakistan cricket fans can brace themselves for an exciting and action-packed year,” Khan said.

A Cricket South Africa security delegation toured Pakistan a few weeks ago to get first-hand knowledge of the security situation there.

“The report on their findings and recommendations gives us confidence as an organization that all of our team’s security, playing and accommodation needs will be met and that the wellbeing of the team will be the top priority,” CSA director of cricket Graeme Smith said. “We look forward to embarking on this historical tour.”

“As someone who has toured the country on more than one occasion back in my playing days, I know how much passion the people of Pakistan have for the game as well as the love and support that the Proteas enjoy there as a team.”

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